Kaleb Dahlgren

Inspiring Community Leader & Mental Wellness Advocate Kaleb Dahlgren beats the odds. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of four, Kaleb was told by coaches and scouts that he would never succeed in hockey. Instead of defeat, Kaleb used the negativity as motivation. He worked relentlessly and played the highest level of hockey each year of his young career. His own struggles inspired him to create the program Dahlgren’s Diabeauties. This program uses hockey as a platform to shed light on Type 1 Diabetes, and provide support for children living with the disorder. On April 6th, 2018, on-route to a playoff game in Nipawin, the Humboldt Broncos’ team bus was involved in a horrific crash. This crash resulted in the death of 16 players and left 13 players with critical injuries. Kaleb was one of the 13 players. He suffered extensive injuries including a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury, and several fractures in his neck and back. A true fighter, Kaleb was determined to return to hockey. Currently, Kaleb is working to grow the impact of Dahlgren’s Diabeauties. Additionally, he supports various charities including special needs groups and shares his message of hope with groups across North America.

Dr. Joseph Blondeau

Dr. Joseph M. Blondeau is a Clinical Microbiologist and Head of Clinical Microbiology at Royal University Hospital and the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. He recently completed 4½ years as Interim Head of the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and holds appointments as an Associate Professor of Pathology, Adjunct Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology. He teaches to undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of microbiology, infectious diseases, antimicrobial agents and pharmacology. Dr. Blondeau’s main research interests are in the area of antimicrobial agents and antimicrobial resistance, clinical microbiology and clinical outcomes associated with antimicrobial therapy. To date, approximately 4 million dollars has been raised as part of his research program. He has published in excess of 160 peer reviewed manuscripts, more than 240 abstracts at international meetings and 5 books. Dr. Blondeau has given more than 600 invited presentations around the world. Dr. Blondeau was the University of Saskatchewan’s nominee for the Henry Friesen Award and Lecture, an award given by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation.

Dr. Volker Gerdts

Dr. Gerdts is the Associate Director Research of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He previously served as Associate Director of Research of VIDO from 2007 until 2018. Dr. Gerdts is also a Professor for Veterinary Immunology in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. He received a DVM in 1994 from Hanover Veterinary School and a German PhD equivalent from the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Island of Riems and Hanover Veterinary School, Germany in 1997. He has served in various administrative roles and served on various editorial boards and national and international scientifi review panels including NIH, CEPI, STAR-IDAZ, CIHR, CFI, NSERC, the Gairdner Foundation, etc.

Dr. Marilyn Baetz

Dr. Marilyn Baetz is the Vice Dean of Faculty Engagement in College of Medicine at the UofS and part of the senior executive. Clinically she has worked as a psychiatrist for 23 years and served as the joint provincial department head of Psychiatry for both the academic (College of Medicine) and clinical (Saskatchewan Health Authority) for close to a decade. In these roles she had the opportunity to strategically lead a diverse provincial department of autonomous physicians toward a tripartite mission for education, research and clinical excellence. In her administrative roles, Dr. Baetz has worked with the college, university, health region operations, health authority and ministries and been a part of many system-wide change initiatives. Her clinical interest is in maternal mental health and research focus included the intersection of psychiatry and spirituality. Dr. Baetz is a certified pysician executive through the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders with a commitment to the LEADS in a Caring Environment framework. She obtained her post secondary education at the U of S including a BSc in nutrition and worked as a hospital dietitian prior to entering medicine. Enjoying family, keeping active and supporting faith and community needs are an important part of her life.

Jenn Minor Johannson

Jenn likes to suggest that her professional story has come full circle. She is an Alberta girl that graduated from youth counseling in college, and then found her way into the business world as a detour. This detour (almost 20 years) found her spending time in senior management and human resources. Ten years ago Jenn left the traditional boardroom to develop and dive into her own practice…and that is where the full circle came together. She created a space in her practice that invited back her counseling skills, coaching certification and her love for workplace training. Here she is, 10 years later, with that practice she’s worked hard to develop - JMJ Coaching. Her days are full with a passion for coaching, training, counseling and speaking. She is a mom, a lover of reading and all things that involve meaningful conversation.

Frances Sreedhar

Frances Sreedhar, BA, BSW, MSW (she/her) has 20 years of counselling experience with individuals, couples and youth (16+) in the not for profit, Health Authority, and private sectors. She believes counselling is of great benefit: to clarify unmet needs, explore unexamined areas / issues, and to build connections between mind, body, and emotions. Her areas of interest include: depression, anxiety, stress, life transitions, work/life balance, trauma and sexual abuse, family of origin, addictions, boundaries, self-esteem, self-care, healthy relationships (including same-sex couples), sexuality, and the impact of physical/mental health on individuals and families. Frances has advanced education and training in Somatic Experiencing, Trauma and Abuse, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Grief & Loss, Client-Centered, and Solution Focused Therapy.